"Nashville" - Film Review

If you’re looking for a film with a plot, Nashville isn’t the recommended film to turn to. There are stories here (a ton of stories in fact), but no single story dominates the plot. Typical of director Robert Altman’s trademark style, the film isn’t all that concerned with establishing a plot. It ends just as abruptly and aimlessly as it begins (And wow does that ending come out of nowhere and leave the film on an incredibly odd note). The moment we start to think particular characters are there for us to hang our hats on them; they disappear for long stretches only to reappear much, much later in the film.

Nashville is a satire of country music and Southern culture to an extent, but it’s oddly enough fairly subtle with the satirical elements. There are big concerts and events in the hyped-up, deep fried style of country music and patriotic exuberance of the South. But it’s often just a more straightforward comedy at times, and even a surprisingly serious drama. There is affairs, domestic disputes, political campaigning, exploitation of talent (or rather lack thereof), and coping with illness and death. 

Occasionally the film takes time to let us to just listen to people sing (some of them are very good singers), and many of these songs are similar to many other country songs you’ve probably heard while also being their own original work. But more often the film is jumping from one character to the next, casually observing one little small, well-observed moment after the other. 

Altman always liked to work with large casts, and Nashville is no exception. It has a sprawling cast (there are 24 main characters), and some members are short shrifted in favor of other story lines. But for the most part, everyone gets a fair amount of screentime and each is given some wry or funny moment. Much of the dialogue is improvised and overlapping which creates a wonderfully naturalistic feel.  

It's an incredibly assured film in the hands of Altman and he gets great performances of nearly everyone. Though it's often sprawling and directionless, none of it ever feels pointless or overstuffed. The film frequently feels true to life and the time it was made in, while also being very funny and featuring some great musical numbers.  

Grade: B+